What is a sprain?
A sprain is defined as the injury associated with the ligament which is known as the fibrous tissue that majorly connects bones to the joints. Individuals suffer from sprain when a ligament is stretched and even torn due to excessive force.
This makes up difficult for individuals to move, walk and perform other activities. Hence, both sprain and strain are the difficult conditions that can make people suffer when left untreated.
Types of sprains
Sprains are majorly categorized based on their location and also severity.
Ankle based
If we have to define the type of sprain on the basis of location then ankle sprain is one of the most common types and typically affects the lateral ligament.
This type of sprain affects individuals often caused by the twisting and rolling of the foot inward.
Wrist sprain
This occurs when the wrist is forcefully bent or also twisted often due to fall. But no matter what type of sprain you undergo, there are sprain treatments available to help you overcome difficulty.
Knee sprain
This majorly involves the injury to the ligament and supporting to the knees which is known as anterior cruciate ligament and also medial collateral ligament.
Thumb sprain
Another type of sprain defined on the basis of location is thumb sprain which is also known as “skier’s thumb. This condition occurs when the thumb ligament is either stretched or also torn.
Back sprain
This type of sprain involves ligament injury in the lower back often from improper lifting and also sudden twisting.
Severity Based sprain
Mild sprain
Ligament fibre is stretched but not torn. The different symptoms are swelling, and slight discomfort.
Moderate
Partial tear of the ligament and major symptoms include- joint instability, swelling, bruising and this manner people are affected Joint sprain.
Severe
The other type of sprain that includes is severe sprain which is the complete ligament tear leading to significant instability.
The symptoms include- severe pain, swelling, and inability to bear weight or move the joint. This in turn also requires surgical intervention.
Symptoms of sprain
- Pain
- Swelling
- Tenderness
- Joint instability
- Popping sensation
- Bruising, all of these are the Sprains symptoms
What causes sprains?
Sprains occur when the ligament the tough band of tissues that connects bones to the joints.
Different causes of sprains are:
When there is a sudden twisting or overextension and this is moving a joint beyond its normal range of motion can stress or also tear the ligament.
The other cause is fall where falling awkwardly and landing on an outstretched hand, foot and also side of the body.
Walking or running or uneven ground conditions are also the major cause of sprains.
If you tend to undergo poor balance or coordination where losing balance during activities can also lead to unnatural movement of joints, causing sprains.
When individuals are wearing improper shoes that do not support grip and can increase the risk of sprain.
Lastly, the other cause is the physical trauma were comes in contact with direct impact as seen in contact sports or accidents.
Risk factors for sprains
Certain factors increase the difficulty of the sprain.
When individuals are involved in physical activities and sports, this means involved in activities like basketball, football, soccer, and gymnastics. All of these conditions can cause a sprain.
Poor fitness level
When there is a weakness in joints, muscles that can cause joint instability can make the ligament. In another case, if you have a lack of flexibility may also limit a joint’s range of motion.
Environmental factors
If you are walking on uneven or slippery surfaces, then this can also result in an unexpected fall.
How are sprains diagnosed?
The diagnosis procedure involves a combination of medical history (where patients have to be diagnosed in a complete manner), physical examination, and also imaging testing to assess the extent of the injury.
How to treat sprain
There are different methods involved in treating sprain and hence all of these are:
Immediate control
The method is found to be quite effective and the result can be found in the first 24-48 hours after injury. Alongside, RICE Therapy is also one of those ways.
Here, individuals need to avoid putting on excessive weight. Hence, if you are finding How to heal a sprain quickly, then this is also one of the best ways.
Apply the ice pack wrapped in the cloth to the affected area for 15-20 minutes.
Management of pain
Make use of over-the-counter pain relievers like Brufen 400mg (Ibuprofen), as the medicine helps to reduce the pain and inflammation at the same time.
As oral medicine consumption can help to work in a fast manner and in this manner sprain can be treated.
Physical therapy
Individuals have to undergo gradual exercise as well so that motion, flexibility and energy can be restored. Therefore, consulting with a physical therapist is needed to determine the right Physiotherapy for your condition.
Immobilization technique
For moderate to severe pain, in case of splint, brace, or cast may also recommended to immobilize the joint and allow healing.
When to worry about a sprained ankle
If sprained ankle pain occurs and it does not get treated then it is a part of worry. Swelling does not go in 2-3 days. You cannot put your complete body weight and hence there is a need for you to watch for signs and infections like warmth, fever, and redness and in turn seek medical help.
Hence, when it comes to treating sprain then reach, Medzsquare an online pharmacy, to buy oral medicines online. we help individuals to buy different sprain relaxing medicines at affordable prices.
Is ibuprofen better for sprains?
Yes, ibuprofen is found to be effective for treating sprain because it is found to be a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug.
The medicine helps to reduce pain, swelling and also inflammation at the same time. However, you must also not use Ibuprofen for a longer time, without consulting with a doctor.
How long should you take ibuprofen for muscle strain?
Ibuprofen can be taken for about 3-5 days to relieve pain and inflammation from the muscle strains. If you further develop symptoms then seek medical expert advice.
How much time does sprain takes to treat?
It majorly takes around 1-2 weeks to overcome a sprain. In case of a moderate sprain, then it can last for 3-6 weeks. Whereas, severe pain can last for about months.
How to treat sprains yourself?
Treating sprain can be done with multiple methods like taking complete rest, RICE Therapy, using ice packs, and also taking over-the-counter medicine. Therefore, all of these ways can help to let you find on how to treat a sprain.
Can you explain the difference between sprain and a strain
A sprain refers to the injury which occurs in a ligament (that majorly connects to the bones). Whereas, strain is the injury to the muscles or tendon (connects muscle to bone).